Target with hit actuated electrical indication means



211 Appl.No.

United States Patent 72] Inventors Lloyd W. Spiro 20510 Napa St., CanogaPark, Calif. 91304;

Arthur Landwald, 20457 Londelius St., Canoga Park, Calif. 91306 [22]Filed Sept. 26, 1968 [45] Patented Dec. 29, 1970 [54] TARGET WITH HITACTUATED ELECTRICAL Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham AssistantExaminer-Marvin Siskind Attorney--Don B. Finkelstein ABSTRACT: Animproved target arrangement for providing selectively a visual and/oraudible indication of impacts on the target by preselected projectiles.A segmented target is divided into a plurality of individual discretesegments, which, for example, may be the conventional bull's-eye typetarget, and also, if desired, a moving target figure may be included, orany other combination of structural arrangements. Each individualsegment is responsive to impact by the projectile and, upon receiving animpact in the particular section, closes an electrical circuit. Themoving target figure may be similarly responsive. One or more of thediscrete targets may be connected to an electrical circuithaving anaudio or audio signal generator such as an audio frequency oscillatorconnected to a permanent magnet speaker. Thus, for a particular targetsegment that is impacted by the projectile and is connected to theoscillator and speaker circuit, a discrete sound is produced indicatinga hit on that particular target segment. The same target segments may ifdesired be provided with both a visual signal means, such as a lightbulb, and sound or with either light or sound or any combination thereofthat may be desired. Both the lights and the sound areself-extinguishing after a predetermined time interval to allowcomparatively rapid utilization of the target for another shot thereat.

PATENTED 050291970 SHEET '4 0F 5 /V vsA/To/es LLOYD W. SP/IZO ARR/URLANDWALD B) A TTOR/VE y 3 0mm ow OVN TARGET WITH HIT ACTUATED ELECTRICALINDICATION MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention VThis invention relates to the target art and more particularly to animproved target for providing both a visual and/or audio signal uponimpact by a preselected projectile.

2. Description of the Prior Art In many applications involving theimpact of comparatively low velocity projectiles upon a target, it isdesirable to know the particular area of the target upon which theprojectile has impacted. For example, in many bb gun, dart gun, air gunand 'he like applications, the velocity of the projectile, while com-)aratively low, is still sufficiently high so that visual tracking of.he projectile to the particular target portion upon which it impacts isgenerally not practical. Further, for safety reasons the person shootingthe projectile is generally placed a sufficient distance from thetargetso that visual detection of the results of the impact, such as acolored mark on the target surface, in

dentations from the projectile, or the like, cannot be readilyascertained.

Therefore, there has long been a need for a target structure for suchcomparatively low velocity projectiles that provides an indication ofthe portion of the target that has been impacted by the projectile. Inthe targets heretofore utilized, in general, there has been providedvisual signals specific to discrete portions of the target such that ifthe projectile impacted on a particular target section a particularvisual signal would be provided. Such signals persisted for apredetermined time period and, in many targets, were eitherautomatically extinguished or manually extinguished so that the targetcould then be utilized again.

While such visual signals have proved advantageous to determining theparticular portion of the target impacted by the projectile, for agreater sensory effect it would be useful in such target structures toprovide a signal effecting senses other than the visual sense of theobserver. For example, it has been desirable to provide an audio signaleither in substitution for or in addition to the visual signal. Formaximum utilization and effect the visual signal should beparticularized to a specific target portion such that each portionimpacted gives rise to a different visual signal such as, for example, adifferent color individual signal and, similarly, the audio signal, forgreater effectiveness, should also provide a different audio signalspecific to the particular target section impacted. Thus, for aparticular target section struck by the projectile a specific visualsignal and specific audio signal ,may be generated, or combinationsthereof. By providing the two sensory modes of indicating target impact,it will be appreciated that a much greater variation, such as audiosignal alone for a particular target section, visual signal alone for aparticular target section or combined audio and visual signals may beutilized to increase the flexibility of such a target arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of applicantsinvention herein to provide an improved target structure.

It is another object of applicants invention herein to provide animproved target structure in which both an audio and visual signal maybe presented upon impact of the target.

It is yet another object of applicants invention herein to provide animproved target structure for comparatively low velocity projectiles toprovide a specific visual signal and/or bodiment of applicantsinvention, concentrically mounted and separate segments comprising adisc for a center or bull'seye and a plurality of annular ringsconcentrically mounted therewith each having an inside face adjacent theinner surface of the common electrode. Each of the rings and bulls-eyeare electrically insulated from each other and are resiliently mountedon and electrically insulated from the first or common electrode. Thuseach of the rings and the disc comprise a separate second electrode.

On other the inside face of the second electrodes or the inner surfaceof the first electrode there are provided preselected projectionsextending therefrom. These projections extend a predetermined distanceabove the surface from which they project and provide the structure forestablishing momentary contact between the two electrodes under the influence of the impact on an outside face at the second electrodes of aprojectile such as a bb, a dart, air gun pellet or the like. Resilientmounting of the second electrodes on the first electrodes insures thatthis contact is only due to the transfer of the energy associated withthe impact of the projectile to the resilient means.

When the projectile is fired towards the target, itmayst'rike theoutside face of any of the second electrodes such as one of theconcentric annular rings or the center disc which second electrode thenresiliently moves towards the first electrode. In this movement, whichis generally a rocking movement rather than a movement of the entirering section towards the second electrode, the resilient mountingarrangement absorbs a portion of the energy associated with the impactof the projectile and the ring section touches the above-mentionedprojections. As described below, each of the ringlike segments comprisesa momentary switch under impact by the projectile to close an electricalcircuit that includes both the common electrode and the secondelectrode, and the resilient mounting returns the segment to itsoriginal position. A moving target figure may also be utilized inapplicants improved target structure that may also comprise a secondelectrode. Upon impact by a projectile, the target figure is knockedover causing contact portion thereat, to engage a strip electrodecomprising a portion of the first electrode to complete an electricalcircuit. The moving target figure may, for example, be mounted on acontinuous belt and provided with automatic righting means to realignthe knocked down, moving target figure after each such impact.

An electrical circuit is provided for generating an indicating signalsuch as a visual signal and/or audio signal unique to the individualsecond electrode target portions impacted by the projectile in responseto an intermediate signal generated after such impact. For example, inthis embodiment of applicants invention, different colored lights may beconnected in the electrical circuitry as the visual indicating signalsso that the closing of any one of momentary contact switch closingscould by the striking of one of the second electrodes such as theannular rings and disc, by a projectile: will light a particular coloredlight that remains on a predetermined time and is thenself-extinguishing. At the same time if desired, an audio signal havinga frequency unique to that one second electrode is also generated sothat both a unique visual signal and a unique audio signal are providedto indicate a strike of the projectile upon a particular, specificsecond electrode.

If desired, the moving target figure may also be connected to both avisual and audio signal generating circuit or, as described below ingreat detail, a unique audio circuit may be utilized to provide apreselected audio sound. Thus, in this em bodiment of applicantsinvention, the moving target figure is in the form of a duck and anaudio signal simulating the quack-quacking" of a duck is provided whenthe moving duck is knocked down due to the impact of a projectile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other embodiments. ofapplicants invention may be more fully understood from the followingdetailed description taken together with the accompanying drawingwherein similar reference characters refer to similar elementsthroughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of applicants invention;

FIG. 2 is a view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 at FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates one form of mounting of the second electrodes on thefirst electrodes;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of applicants invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of applicants invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a moving target figure;

FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic diagram of a preferred electricalcircuit for applicants invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of applicants invention;

' FIG. 1 1 illustrates another mounting arrangement;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of another electrical circuit;

and

FIG. 13 illustrates another moving target structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and3 there is shown in FIG. 1 a general perspective view of one embodimentof applicants invention generally designated 10. The target 10 iscomprised of a case means 12 upon which is mounted a segmented bullseyetarget portion 14 and a plurality of moving target figures 16. It willbe appreciated that the segmented target portion 14 shown in the form ofa bulls-eye type of target having three members comprising an outer ring18, an inner ring and a center or bulls-eye disc 22 is only one form ofa segmented target that can be utilized in the practice of applicantsinven tion herein. That is, the segments may be in any desired size andshape and geometric configuration and in any desired relation to eachother according to the principals of applicants invention herein andapplicants invention herein is not limited to include those targetshaving only at least a portion thereof a bulls-eye type segmentedtarget.

The three members comprising the concentrically mounted outer ring 18,inner ring 20 and bull s-eye disc 22 are mounted substantially flush onwall portion 24 of the case means 12 that, to minimize the potentialinjuries that could occur from the ricochet of projectiles therefromback towards the person firing the projectile, is rearwardly anddownwardly slanted so that ricocheted projectiles therefrom aregenerally directed towards the ground level immediately in front of thetarget 10, orare caught in a target trap portion.

As described below in greater detail, each of the moving target figures16 which, for example, may be in the form of a simulated picture of aduck, move at a predetermined rate in a direction indicated by the arrow26 on an endless belt 28.

On the front panel 30 of the case means 12 there is also provided threevisual signal means 32a, 32b and 32c. The three visual signal means 32a,32b and 32c are visible from positions forwardly-of the target, that is,in the position generally occupied by the person firing the projectilesat the target. Each of the visual signal means 32a, 32b and 320 may beprovided to radiate a different color from the other and, as describedbelow in greater detail, each one is adapted to be illuminated upon theimpact of the projectile on a particular portion of the segmented targetB4. The visual signal means 32a, 32b and 320 each may comprise a lens293, 293' and 29 which provides the different colors even though thelamps such as lamp 290, are identical.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is also provided a flat, unitary,platelike means 34 positioned behind the segmented bulls-eye target 14and substantially coextensive with the outer annular ring 18, innerannular ring 20 and disc 22. The plate 34 is, in this preferredembodiment of applicants invention, a unitary structure or, at least,preselected portions thereof are at the same electrical potential, asdescribed below in greater detail. The plate 34 is mounted substantiallyparallel to the segmented bulls-eye target portion 14 and the platelikemeans 34 has an inner surface 36 that is substantially parallel to aplanar inside face 18a of the outer ring 18, 20a of the inner ring 20and 22a of the disc 22 so that the inner surface 36 and the inside faces18a, 20a and 22a are substantially parallel and spaced a preselecteddistance apart and define substantially parallel planer surfaces, inthis embodiment.

The platelike means 34 may be considered a common or first electrode andeach of the outer ring 18, inner ring 20 and disc 22 may be considered asecond electrode. It will be appreciated that the outer ring 18 iselectrically insulated from the inner ring 20 and disc 22, the innerring 20 is electrically insulated from the disc 22, and the outer ring18, inner ring 20 and disc 22 are, for the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2and 3,

electrically insulated from the common electrode 34 and from I eachother.

The outer surface 38 of the platelike means 34 is, in this embodiment ofapplicants invention, substantially parallel to the rear wall 40 of thecase means 12.

Each of the outer ring 18, inner ring 20 and disc 22 are resilientlymounted by a resilient mounting means 41 on the platelike means 34 asshown, for example, in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, which illustrates themounting of the disc 22 on the platelike means 34, the disc 22 is spaceda preselected distance from the platelike means 34 so that the innersurface 36 of the platelike means 34 is positioned this preselecteddistance from the inside face 22a of the disc 22. It will be appreciatedthat the outer annular ring 18 and inner annular ring 20 are mounted onthe platelike means 34 in a manner similar to the arrangement shown inFIG. 4 for the mounting of the disc means 22 on the platelike means 34.

In the mounting arrangement shown in FIG. 4, a screw means 42 is inthreaded engagement through the inner face 22a with the disc 22, asshown at 44. In the preferred embodiment of applicants invention thereare three such screws 42 supporting the disc 22 and, similarly, thereare three such screws supporting each of the inner ring 20 and outerring 18. The screw 42 is electrically insulated from the platelike means34 by electrically insulating sleeve means 46 which, for example, may beplastic or any other dielectric material, and in order to minimize wearand friction, applicants prefer to include a collar means 48 around thewalls 50 defining the orifree 52 through the platelike means 34 in whichthe screw 42 is positioned.

A resilient pad means 54 is positioned around the sleeve means 46 andbetween the inside face 22a of the disc 22 and the inner surface 36 ofthe platelike means 34. The resilient pad means 54 is also dielectricand may, for example, be polyurethane, sponge rubber, or the like andprovides a yielding resilient force on the disc 22 when the disc 22moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 56. From the above, it canbe seen that the disc 22 is thus resiliently supported on the plate 34by the screws 42 and is also electrically insulated from the platelikemeans 34 by the dielectric sleeve means 46 and the dielectriccollar-means 48.

The platelike means 34 is provided with a plurality at projection means56 extending from the inner surface 36 of the platelike means 34 towardsthe inside face 22a of the disc 22. In the embodiment of applicantsinvention shown on FIG. 4, this plurality at projection means 58 isprovided by the rivetlike means 58 that is fixed to the platelike means34 and has a contact portion 68 extending from the inner surface 36towards the inside surface 22a. Each of the projection means 58 iselectrically conductive and is in electrically conductive contact withthe platelike means 34.

As shown more clearly on FIG. 2, there is provided in this embodiment ofapplicants invention, three mounting screws 42 for holding the disc 22in the predetermined space relationship to the platelike means 34, threemounting screws 42' which may be similar to the screws 42 for mountingthe inner ring 20 in the predetermined space relationship to theplatelike means 34 and three mounting screws 42" for mounting the outerring 18 in the predetermined spaced relationship to the common platelikemeans 34. Similarly, there is provided in this embodiment of applicantsinvention, eight rivetlike projections 58" spaced circumferentiallyaround the common platelike means 34 in regions adjacent the outer ring18 and the rivetlike means 58" may be similar to the rivetlikeprojections means 58 described above, Similarly, there is provided eightrivetlike projection means 58' spaced circumferentially around thecommon platelike'means 34 in regions adjacent to the inner ring 20 andthe rivetlike projection means 58 may be similar to rivetlike projectionmeans 58 described above. Similarly, there is provided three of therivetlike projection means 58 spaced circumferentially on the com monplatelike means 34 in areas adjacent the disc 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, resilient pad means 54' are positioned around eachof the mounting screw 42' to resiliently resist motion of the inner disc20 and a resilient pad means 54" is positioned around each of themounting screws 42" to resiliently resist motion of the outer ring 18.

Annular spaces 62 and 64 are provided, respectively, between the outeredge 19 of inner ring 18 and outer edge 21 of inner ring 20, and inneredge 23 of inner ring 20 and outer edge 25 of disc 22 so that each ofthe outer ring 18, inner rings 20 and disc 22 are electrically insulatedfrom each other and do not inhibit movement of each other.

When a projectile such as the projectile 66, moves towards the target inthe direction indicated by the arrow 68 and impact, for example, on thedisc 22, the disc 22 moves in the direction of the arrow 56 shown inFIG. 4 until the inside surface 22a of the disc 22 contact the contactportion 60 of projection means 58. The energy associated with themomentum of the projectile 66 is transferred to the disc 22 to providethis motion which is yieldingly resisted by the resilient pads 54. Themomentum of disc 22 and the resilient pad 54 absorb most of the energyand the movement of the disc 22 continues until contact with the contactportion 60 is made which results in an electrical circuit beingcompleted between the-common platelikemeans 34 and the disc 22. As notedabove, the common platelike means 34 may be considered a first electrodeand the disc 22 may be considered a second electrode. The resilient pad54 insures that the contact between the inside face 22a and the contactportion 60 isonly momentary and after the contact the resiliency of theresilient pad 54 restores the disc 22 to its original spaced-apartrelationship with the common platelike means or common electrode 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sleevelike means 46 has a first end 70 that isin contact with the inside face 22a of the disc 22 and a second end 72that is in contact with the head 74 of the mounting screw 42. Thus, whenthe disc 22 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 56 in FIG. 4,which is the same direction as the arrow 68 shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve46 nd the screw 42 move with the disc 22 and the outer peripheralsurface 76 of the sleeve 46slides on the collar means 48. By providingthe sleeve means 46 and collar means 48 of comparatively low coefficientof friction plastic materials such. as nylon, polyurethane,polyethylene, or the like, comparatively little frictional loss occursin this motion and the movement of the disc 22 for a given momentum ofthe projectile 66 may be accurately controlled by the control of theresiliency of the pad 54. It will be appreciated, of course, that whilefriction between the sleeve 46 and the collar 48 would also absorbenergy, such friction is generally not easily controlled and applicantsprefer to provide more precise control of the movement of the disc 22 bymeans of the resiliency of the pad 54.

From the mounting arrangement indicatedon FIGS. 2, 3

i and 4, it will be appreciated that the movement of the disc 22 withrespect to the common electrode 34 is essentially a tilting motion untilone portion of the inside surface 220 contacts the contact portion 60.The momentum associated with the projectile 66 which, in this embodimentof applicants invention,

may comprise bbs, darts, pellets, or the like, is generally notsufficient to move the disc 22 (or the outer annular ring 18 or innerannular ring 20, depending upon which portion of the segmented bulls-eyetarget 14 is impacted by the projectile 66 in a direction substantiallyparallel to the plane defined by the inner surface 36 of the commonelectrode 34. Thus, the threescrew mounting of the preferred embodimentof applicants invention as indicated on FIG. 2 is desirable to providethis type of relative movement between the portions of the segmentedbull's-eye target 14 and theplatelike common electrode 34.

Since, as shown in FIG. 3, the segmented target 14 is mounted at anangle to the vertical, the mounting arrangements as indicated in FIG. 4and as described below, must-take both shear and tension loads due togravity forces. That is, the eight of each of the annular outer ring;18, annular inner ring 20and disc 22 must be supported by the mountingmeans 41 described herein which, because of the angular alignment withrespect to the vertical, take both shear and tension loads therein.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of applicants inven 'tiongenerally designated and-shows the details of another mounting means 91for mounting one of a plurality of segments 92 of a segmentedtargetportion 94 with respect'to a common electrode and platelike means 96.The segment 92 may be similar to the disc 22, outer annular ring 18 orinner annular ring 20 shown in FIGS. ll, 3 and 4 and the commonplatelike means 96 may be similar to the common platelike means 34 showntherein.

The segment 92 has an inside face 92a that is spaced a preselecteddistance apart from an innersurface 98 of the common platelike means 96.

The segment 92 is resiliently mounted on the common platelike means 96by a mounting screw 100 that, for example, may be similar to themounting screw 42 described above. In this embodiment 90 of applicantsinvention the mounting screw 100 threadingly engages the segment 92through the inside face 92a as indicated at 102. A generally cylindricalsleevelike means 104 has a f rst end 106 abutting the inside surface 92aof the segment 92 and a second end 93 abutting the head 108 of themounting screw 100 so that, for movement of the segment 92 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 110 with respect to the commonplatelike means 96, the screw 100 and the sleeve means 104 movetherewith. The sleeve means 104 is of an electrically insulating natureand, preferably, is made from plastic such as nylon or similar materialsuch as those described above for the sleeve means 46 so that there islittle friction between the sleeve means 104 and a collar means 112positioned around the inner wall edges 114 defining an orifice 116through which the mounting screw 100 projects. The collar 112 may besimilar to the collar 48 described above and may be fabricated fromsimilar materials to provide a very smooth and low friction contactbetween the outer peripheral walls 1170f the sleevelike means 104 andthe collar means 112 during relative motion between the segment 92 andthe platelike common electrode 96.

An electrically insulating spring means 118. such as a plastic spring orplastic coated metallic spring is fabricated from any desirable plasticsuch as nylon or the like, and is positioned between the inside face 92aof the segment 92 and the inner surface 98 of the platelike common means9 6 to provide a yielding resistance to motion of the segment 92 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 110. It will be appreciated, of course,that the spring 118 could be utilized in place of the resilient padmeans 54 for the mounting arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 and,similarly, a resilient pad similar to the pad 54 could be utilized inplace of the spring 118 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 5.

Projections 120 which, in this embodiment of applicants invention shownon FIG. 5, take the form of dimples pressed into the common or platelikemeans 96 provide the portions designed to make momentary contact withthe inside face 92a of segment 92. Thus, the dimples 120 replace therivetlike projection means such as rivetlike means 58 shown in FIG. 4.In some embodiments of applicants invention, it is preferable to use thedimple means 120 for obvious economic factors in fabrication. Further,it will be appreciated, the dimples 120 could be utilized as theprojection means in the embodiment of applicants invention shown in FIG.4 and, similarly, the rivetlike projection means 58 could be utilized inthe embodiment of applicants invention 90 shown in FIG. to replace thedimples 120 or as in addition thereto as may be desired. Similarly,lances could be utilized to provide the projections. Thus, theutilization in any one embodiment of applicants invention illustratedherein of a particular form of projection is not exclusive of that typeof projection but, rather, several different types of projections may beutilized as desired.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of applicants invention generallydesignated 130 and, more particularly, another mounting arrangement 131for mounting portions of a segmented target in a resilient andelectrically insulated manner on a common electrode. As shown in theembodiment 130 of FIG. 6 there may be provided segments I32 and 134which, for example, may be similar to the disc 22 and inner annular ring18 described above. The segment 134 may be considered an annularringlike segment.

A flat platelike common electrode 136 is provided and, in thisembodiment of 130 of applicants invention as shown on FIG. 6, the flatplatelike common electrode I36 may be similar to the platelike means 34described above. The disc segment 132 and annular ring segment 134 areresiliently mounted on the common platelike means 136. As shown on FIG.6, a bolt 138 extends through the disc segment 132 and, common platelikemeans 136 and is restrained by nut 140. An electrically insulatingwasher means I42 provides electrical insulation between the bolt 138 andnut 140 and the common platelike means 136. Similarly, a sleevelikemeans 144 which, for example, may be similar to the sleevelike means 104shown in FIG. 5, has a first end 146 abutting against an inside face1320 of the disc segment I32 and against the washer 142. The sleevemeans I44 is electrically insulating and fabricated from a comparativelysmooth and slippery plastic material such as nylon or the like so thatthe friction between the sleevelike means 144 and a collar means 148during movement of the disc segment 132 in the directions indicated bythe arrow 150 relative to the common platelike means 136 iscomparatively low for the reasons hereinabove set forth. The collarmeans 148, therefore, may be similar to the collar means 112 shown onFIG. 5 or the collar means 48 shown on FIG. 4.

A resilient pad means 152 which, for example, may be similar to theresilient pad means 54 shown in FIG. 4, is positioned, in thisembodiment of applicants invention, between the inside face 1320 of thedisc segment 132 and the collar means 148 and the resilient pad means152 provides yielding resisting forces to movement of the disc segment132 in the direction indicated by the arrow I50 toward the platelikecommon means 136.

When the disc segment 132 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow150 relative to the platelike common means 136 it will be appreciatedthat the bolt 138, nut 140, sleeve means 144 and washer 142 all movetherewith as the resilient pad means 152 is compressed.

It will be appreciated that the mounting of the annular ringlike segment134 though not shown in FIG. 6 is similar to that shown for the mountingof the disc segment 132.

The projection means l32b and I34b shown on FIG. 6 project from theinside face 132a of the disc I32 and the inside face 1340 of the annularringlike segment 134 towards the inner surface 160 of the platelikecommon means 136. The projection means 132!) and 1341; comprise rimswith edge portions l32b' and 134b that are preferably comparativelynarrow so that essentially line contact with the inner surface 160 maybe made when the segments 132 or 134 are impacted by a projectile.

It will be appreciated that in each of the embodiments of applicants'invention heretofore described the mounting of the segments in respectto the common platelike means is a resilient mounting so that thesegment moves and there is momentary contact between the projectionmeans, the segment and the common plate and then, under the influence ofthe yielding resisting means such as the resilient pad I52 or 154 or thespring 118.

FIG. II illustrates another mounting arrangement useful in the practiceof applicants invention herein. This arrangement, generally designated400, is similar to the mounting arrangement I31 shown in FIG. 6, andprovides the resilient mounting between an electrically conductivetarget segment 402 and a base or common electrode 404. The targetsegment 402 may be similar to the target segment 132 or I34 shown inFIG. 6, and the base electrode 404 may be similar to the platelikecommon electrode 136 shown thereon. A bolt 406 extends through thetarget segment 402 and is in electrical contact therewith and protrudesthrough the base electrode 404 and is retained by a nut 408. Theelectrically conductive bolt 406 and nut 408 are insulated from the baseelectrode 404 by an insulating washer 4K0. The washer 410 may be similarto the washer I42 described above. Further, there is also provided arigid, such as a metal headed sleeve means 412 surrounding the bolt 406and bearing against the inside surface 414 of the target segment 402 andagainst the electrically insulating washer 410. If the headed sleevemember 412 is electrically conductive, then an insulating bushing 416may be provided to insure electrical isolation of the base electrode 404from the target segment 402. A dielectric resilient pad 418 is providedbetween the inner face 414 of the target segment 402 and the inner face420 of the base electrode 404 to provide the resilient movementtherebetween as described above.

When a projectile, such as the bb 422, moving in the direction indicatedby the arrow 424, impacts on the target segment 402, the headed sleevemember 4I2 moves against the insulating washer 4110 as the entire bolt406, nut 408, washer 410 and sleeve 412 move in the direction of thearrow 424 as the result of the momentum transfer thereto. Electricalcontact to the target segment 402 is made by electrical connector 426connected to wire lead 428. The insulating washer 410 insulates theelectrical connector 426 from the base electrode 404. Electrical contactbetween the target segment 402 and the base electrode 404, as the resultof the impact of the projectile 422, may be provided by any of theabove-descri bed arrangements such as the dimples of FIG. 5, or the rims132 shown in FIG. 6, lances in the base electrode 404, rivets or thelike. It will be appreciated, of course, that electrical connection tothe target segments of some of the embodiments of applicants inventiondescribed herein, such as that shown in FIG. 6, may be provided in themanner shown in FIG. 11.

In the above-described embodiments of applicants invention, each of thesegments of the segmented target structure as well as the common plateswere entirely electrically conductive. This is generally preferredsince, to resist the impact energy without undue buckling or warpingbecause of the impingement of the projectiles on the structure as wellas the manufacturing and assembling techniques, and metals are generallyelectrically conductive, in some embodiments and applications ofapplicants invention it may not be necessary to have highly rigid andstrong members throughout. Thus, for example, there will be appreciatedthat since in the embodiments ofapplicants invention shown in FIGS. 4and 5, contact between the moving segment and the common plate is madeat discrete locations. Only these portions involved in the contact needbe electrically conductive.

FIG. I0 illustrates one embodiment generally designated in which atarget segment 172 is adapted to move under the influence of animpacting projectile such as the bb I74 in the direction indicated bythe arrow 176 towards a common platelike means I78. The segment 172 isresiliently mounted on the common platelike means I78 and a spring means180 provides a yielding resilient force to resist the motion of thesegment 172 towards the common platelike means 178. In this embodimentof applicants invention, the segment 172 has a body member 173 that maybe electrically insulating if desired and, therefore, could befabricated from plastic or any other nonelectrically conductive materialthat in certain applications may prove more economical to utilize.Similarly, the common platelike means 178 may also be fabricated from anonelectrically conductive type material such as a plastic or the likeif desired. A contact strip 182 is embedded in the body member 173 ofthe segment 172 on the inner face 172a thereof. 7

A mounting screw 184 extends through the platelike means 178 and engagesthe electrically conductive strip 182 and, if desired, threadinglyengages the body member 173 as indicated at 186. A sleeve means 188which may be similar to the sleeve means 104 shown in FIG. and a collarmeans 190 which, for example, may be similar to the collar means 112shown in FIG. 5 are also provided and, therefore, the mountingarrangement shown for the embodiment of 170 shown in FIG. 10 is similarto the mounting arrangement shown for the embodiment 90 shown in FIG. 5.That is, when the segment 172 moves in the direction indicated by=thearrow 176 the sleeve 188 and the screw 184 move therewith.

A projection means 192 which, in this embodiment of applicantsinvention, may take the form of a rivetlike member similar to therivetlike projection means 58 shown in FIG. 4,

extends through the common platelike means 178 and has a projectionportion 194 between the inner surface 178a of the common platelike means178 and the electrically conductive strip 182. When the segment 172 isimpacted by the projectile 174 the spring 180 compresses to provideyielding resistance until the electrically conductive strip 182 contactsthe projection portion 194 of the rivetlike projection means 192. Thisprovides a momentary electrical contact therebetween since the rivetlikemember 192 is electrically conductive and the strip 182 is electricallyconductive.

A first lead 196 is connected to an electrically conductive washer 198between the outer surface 200 of the platelike means 178 and therivetlike projection means 192 to conduct electrical energy thereto.Similarly, asecond electrical lead 202 is connected to a washer 204,which also is electrically conductive, whichis between the head 206 ofthe mounting screw 184 and the sleevelike means 188 and the collar means190. Since the mounting screw' 184 engages the electrically conductivestrip 182 electrical energy therefore is conducted through theelectrically conductive mounting screw 184 to the electricallyconductive strip 182 so that when the electrically conductive strip 182contacts the projection portion 194 of the rivetlike projections means192 a complete circuit is obtained.

In the embodiment 170 shown in FIG. 10, it will be appreciated, onlyselected portions of the common electrode and the second electrode areelectrically conductive and, therefore, each of the embodiments ofapplicants invention shown herein, if desired, only preselected portionsof either or both the first and second electrodes may be electricallyconductive to provide the momentary contact necessary for operation ofapplicants target structure as hereinafter set forth. Thus, in any ofthe embodiments'of applicants invention, electrical energy may beconducted to the second electrode by utilizing electrical contact to anelectrically conductive mounting screw or a mounting bolt, as may bedesired,

since they are electrically insulated from the electrically conductiveportions of the common platelike means. Similarly, electrical energy maybe conducted to the common platelike means in any of the embodimentshereof in a manner similar to that shown on FIG. 10. It will beappreciated that in the embodiment 170 shown on FIG. 10, the springmeans 180, sleeve means 188 and collar means 190 may, if desired, beeither electrically conductive or electrically insulating since thecommon platelike means 178 is electrically insulating in this embodimentof applicants. invention and therefore there is no inadvertent shortcircuit between the electrically conductive strip 182 of the segment 172and the platelike common means 178.

As indicated above, in addition to the segmented target 14 shown in theembodiment of applicants invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4,applicants also provide a moving target figure 16. FIGS. 3, 7 and 8illustrate the details of a preferred form of applicants moving targetfigure 16. The moving target figure I6 is mounted in an electricallyconductive clip means 220, that is rotatably mounted in a carrier member222. The carrier member 222 has a tab 224 that 'clampingly engages themoving belt 28 so that the carrier member 222 is carried along with themoving belt 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow 26.

The carrier member 222 has a base 226 from which the tab 224 depends anda pair of vertically spaced-apart support portions 228 and 230 each ofwhich have an aperture 232 and 234, respectively, therethrough. l

The clip means 220 has a pair of arm-means 236 (only one of which isshown in FIG. 8) and the arm means 236 are rotatably mounted in theaperture 23.2 and 234'so that the clip means 220 together with themoving target figure 16 may pivot on the carrier 222 in the directionindicated by the arrow 238.

Adjacent to the moving belt 28 there is provided a first electrodewhich, in this embodiment of applicants invention, may be considered astrip electrode 240 and, as described below, the strip electrode 240 isat the same electrical potential as the platelike member or firstelectrode 3 6 and therefore the strip electrode 224 may be considered apart of the first electrode.

The clip member 220 has a contact portion 242 that is positioned tocontact the strip electrode 240 when the target figure 16 has beenimpacted by a projectile such as the pro jectile 244 moving in thedirection indicated by the arrow 246 and knocked thereover. Thus, theimpact by the projectile 244 moves the target figure and the clip means220 in the direction indicated by the arrow 238 until the contactportion 242 engages the strip electrode 240. The center of gravity ofthe combined mass of the target figure 16 and the clip means 220 is suchthat when the target figure 16 is in the upright position as indicatedin FIGS. 3 and 8, it will remain in this position until impacted by theprojectile and, when impacted by the projectile tilts over in thedirection indicated by the arrow 238 and the center of gravity thenshifts to be on the opposite side of the arms 236 so that it will remainin the tipped position until righted. 1 i

Automatic righting means such as the righting finger 250 are provided onapplicants improved target structure and when a target figure 16 is inthe tipped over position and the contact portion 242 is contacting thestrip electrode 240 as the moving target figure 16 moves in thedirection indicated by the arrow 26 on the endless belt 28 the finger250 engages the target figure 16 and flips it right side up to thevertical position shown in FIG. 8.

The endless belt 28 may be carried on roller means such as the roller252 or, if desired, it may ride on the upper surface 256 of the casemeans 12. As shown on FIG. 3, the endless belt 28 enters a cavity 258 inthe case means 12 and there is provided therein a pulley 260 rotated byan electric motor 262 which drives the endless belt 28. In thecavity'258 there is also provided electrical circuitry generallydesignated 264 that provides the visual signal, the audio signal and theelectrical energy for driving the motor 262 to gotate thebelt 28 toprovide movement to the moving target figure 16.

The belt 28 may be an electrically. conductive belt so that electricalcontact to the clip means 220 and thus the contact portion 242 isprovided through the carrier member 222 to the clip means 220.Electrical energy is supplied to the electrically conductive belt means28 by sliding engagement with electrical contact 266 which, as shown onFIG. 3, receives energy from the electrical circuitry 264. It will beappreciated that many forms of mounting arrangements for the movingtarget figure 16 as well as arrangements for providing electrical energythereto may be achieved by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of applicants invention generallydesignated 600, and more particularly another structural arIrangementfor supporting a moving target such as a moving target 16', which, forexample, may be similar to the moving figure 16 described above. In thisembodiment of applicants invention, an endless belt means 602 is drivenby an electric motor (not shown) to move the moving target figure 16,which is attached to clip means 220, which, for example, may be similarto the clip means 220 described above mounted on a carrier member 222',which, for example, may be similar to the carrier member 222, describedabove. The carrier member 222' is coupled to the endless belt means 602so that the target figure 16 is moved in the 604 by electrical connector606 held against angle plate 604 by an electrically insulating screw608. The screw 608 may be fabricated from nylon or any other desiredelectrically insulating material. A strip electrode 240', which may besimilar in electrical connection to the strip electrode 240 describedabove, is electrically part of the platelike member or first electrode36 of the embodiment shown on FIG. 1, and is electrically energized byelectrical connector 608. Connector 608 is insulated from support arm610 by electrically insulating washer 612. Nut 614 threadingly engagesthe insulating screw .608 to clamp the assembly on the support arm 610,which, for example, may be connected to the case means 12, which may besimilar to the case means 12 described above.

The strip electrode 240 is insulated from the angle 604 by anelectrically insulating washer 616, which, for example, may be similarto the electrically insulating washer 612.

When the moving target figure 16' is impacted by a projectile 618 movingin the direction indicated by the arrow 620, it is tipped over and thecontact portion 242', which, for exampie, may be similar to the contactportion 242 described above, engages the strip electrode 240 and thuscompletes the circuit between the angle arm 604 and the strip electrode240 to provide the appropriate signal for generation of an Y audiosignal, as described below, or, if desired, a visual signal or acombination thereof.

As noted above, it is desirable in applicants invention herein toprovide a visual signal and/or an audio signal when different portionsof applicants target are impacted by the projectile. Thus, if desired,the disc 22, inner annular ring and outer annular ring 18 may, whenimpacted by a projectile, momentarily contact the projections 42, 42' or42" depending upon which segment of the segmented bulls-eye target 14 isstruck by the projectile, to initiate the circuitry to provide thevisual signal and/or a particularly audio signal. In the embodiment ofapplicants invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, both a unique visualsignal and a unique audio signal is provided corresponding to impact ofthe projectile on a particular segment of the segmented bulls-eye target14. While, it will be appreciated, the same audio signal may be providedfor impact on each of the segments, it will be appreciated that greaterversatility is provided if a different audio tone or frequency as wellas a different visual signal is provided corresponding to thatparticular segment. Similarly, as described below in greater detail, ifthe projectile should strike in the annular space 62 between the outerannular 18 and inner annular ring 20 or in the annular space 64 betweenthe inner annular ring 20 and disc 22, then both adjacent segments ofthe segmented bulls-eye target 14 may contact the appropriateprojections to complete the circuitry to the common electrode Y36 andtherefore, the lights indicating strikes upon both segments will be litand a tone that is different from the audio tone of either of thesegments is produced.

tact portion 242 engages the strip electrode 240 or a unique sound maybe produced or both. In the embodiment of applicants invention describedherein applicant does not provide a light to indicate he hit upon themoving target 16 but rather a very unique sound that is similar to thequack-quacking of a dying duck is provided when the moving target figure16 is impacted. Thus, in the preferred form of applicants inventionherein, the moving target 16 is in the form of a duck. Thus, in thesequence of operation, when one of the segments 18, 20 or 22 isimpacted, the electric circuitry provides a light such as the lights32a, 32b and 32c depending upon which segment is impacted and aparticular sound is emitted from the target. Both the sound and thelights persist for a predetermined time period and then areautomatically terminated so the target may be reused for another shot.Since the duck provides such a unique sound it may be considered a primetarget source in this embodiment of applicants invention and, asdescribed below, the electric circuitry is such that if the duck is hitthe distinctive duck sound is emitted and any sound associated with oneof the segments 18, 20 or 22 is terminated. If however, the duck is hitfirst and then one of the segments 18, 20 or 22 is impacted, then onlythe duck sound will be provided and only the light signal from theparticular ring or rings impacted. Conversely, if first one of thesegments is impacted and then the duck, the light corresponding to theparticular segment is first illuminated and the sound for thatparticular segment is generated. Then, when the duck is impacted, thesound of the duck cuts out the corresponding sound from the impactedtarget ring and only the duck sound is heard.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is shown an electrical schematic diagramfor the electrical circuit 264 useful in the practice of applicantsinvention herein. As shown on FIG. 9 the momentary contact between thesegments 18, 20 and 22 and the common electrode 34 and 240 by thesegments 18, 20 and 22 of the segmented bull's-eye target 14 and themoving target figure 16 as represented by the contact portion 242 areindicated schematically by the momentary contact switches 270, 272, 274and 276, respectively. A 9-volt battery 278 is provided to supply theelectrical energy for the electrical circuit 264 as well as the power tothe motor 262. When one of the segments, such as the disc 18, isimpacted by a projectile, it is moved to contact the common firstelectrode 34 thus indicating a closure of the momentary contact switch270. Closure of the switch 270 triggers the gate 280 of a first siliconcontrolled rectifier 282. The trigger voltage due to the momentarycontact and, consequently, the gate current are developed throughresistor 284, resistor 286, the momentarily closed switch 270, resistor288 and the cold resistance of lamp 290 comprising the source of visualelectromagnetic radiation for the visual signal means 32a. In thisembodiment of applicants invention, applicant has found that the lamp290 may be a 6-volt ISO-milliamp lamp. The silicon controlled rectifier282 requires a minimum holding current of 5 milliamps and, therefore,the current load of the lamp 290 is more than enough to sustain thesilicon controlled rectifier 282 in conduction and, therefore, keep lamp290 illuminated. The milliamp current consumed by lamp 290 is suppliedthrough resistor 284 and the silicon controlled rectifier 282 eachdeveloping a l /z-volt drop thus providing the full 9 volts comprises ofthe two Ila-volt drops and the 6-volt lamp drop to be equivalent to the9-volt supply source from the battery 278.

In the preferred embodiment of applicants invention the lamp 290 willremain illuminated for a predetermined time period after the momentaryclosing of the switch 270. In order to terminate the illumination oflamp 290 at this predetermined time period, applicants utilized thevoltage drop of 1 /2- the silicon controlled rectifiers, ashereinafterdescribed, are simultaneously triggered into conduction.Thus, transistor 292 becomes a voltage current source at any time thatone or more of the silicon controlled rectifiers are triggered. i

It will be appreciated that silicon controlled rectifiers 282' and 282",provide the same function as silicon controlled rectifier 282 formomentary contact of the switch 272 and 274, respectively. Similarly, ifresistors 288and 288" are similar to resistor 288 and provide thesimilar function thereof. Lamps 290 and 290" are similar to lamps 290and, in conjunction with different colored lenses 293, 293' and 293", asshown on H6. 1, can provide a different'colored visual signal dependingupon which of the momentary contact switches are closed.v The followingdescription of the operation of the automatic extinguishment of the lamp290 also applies to automatic extinguishment of the lamp 290' and 290"depending upon which of the segments 18, or 22 are impacted by theprojectile.

The voltage current source of transistor 292 is utilized to chargecapacitor 298 through resistor 300 at RC time constant and voltage levelcommensurate with the intrinsic standoff ratio established byunijunction transistor 302.

In the preferred embodiment of applicants invention, the intrinsicstandoff ratio of unijunctiontransistor 302 is about 70 percent to 85percent of the voltage level present at base 304 of unijunctiontransistor 302. For the values in the circuit 264 described above, thisvoltage levelis about 8%-volt value, unijunction transistor 302 willconduct starting the discharge of capacitor 298 through emitter-basejunction 306 and resistor 308. The voltage developed across the resistor308 forward biases transistor 310 into a condition of saturation. Theinstantaneous condition of saturation causes the collector 312 of thetransistor 310 to decrease the voltage source to the anodes 314, 314',314" of the silicon controlled rectifier 282, 282, and 282" to about 600millivolts thus starving out any of the silicon controlled rectifier282, 282 or 282" which may have been conducting to thereby terminate theconduction therethrough. With terminated conduction of a siliconcontrolled rectifier, the voltage across resistor 284 is eliminated.

Wh'en capacitor 298 has discharged to about 2 volts, the amount ofcurrent to the base 316 of the transistor 310 will have diminished towhere the transistor 310 ceases to conduct thereby offering noadditional load through resistor 284 with no voltage across resistor284, transistor 292 isno longer forward biased. Thus transistor 292ceases conducting, this decreases the voltageat the base 304 ofunijunction transistor 302 and allows capacitor 298 to discharge thebalance of its charge through the emitter-base junction 306 and resistor308. The voltage developed across resistor 308 is less than the requiredvoltage at the emitter-base junction of transistor 310 and thereforetransistor 310 will not turn on. However,

capacitor 298 has sufficiently discharged so that it is in a conditionto be reactivated upon'the next impact of a projectile upon any of theparticular target segments.

The portion of the electrical circuit 264 described above iliustratesthe automatic lighting and termination of the lighting of the lamp 290,290 and 290" to provide the visual signals and termination thereof asdesired. Applicants electrical cireuit'264 also provides a unique audiotone depending. upon which of the portions of the segmented target 14are impacted by the projectile. For this condition, with the voltagecurrent source provided by the transistor 292 conducting specifically asa result of the activation of one or more of the silicon controlledrectifiers 282, 282' and 282", the 8% volts available at the collector294 are utilized through a conventional Darlington connected emitterfollower as providedby transistors 320 and 322 to provide approximately7 volts for a current source to the blocking oscillator circuitcomprising the primary 324 of a transformer 326, transistor 328,resistor 330 and capacitor 334. Resistor 336 and capacitor 332 provideregenerative,

decoupling from the current 'source. This allows the blocking oscillatorto operate with minimum distortion and produce a clear audible tone.Resistor 330 and capacitor 334 determine the particular pitch or tone ofthe audible sound. Maximum sound is determined by theminimum value ofdecoupling resistor 336 without distortion. Value changesof resistor 336to a permanent magnet speaker 340 :from which the sound is emitted. Ifit is desired to provide different sounds corresponding to each of thesegments 18, 20 or 22, it will be appreciated that resistors 342 and 344where the value of the resistor 342 does not equal the value of resistor344may be provided in the circuitry, for example, of lamp 290' and 290".By providing the resistors 342 and 344, different'tones will be providedfor each of the segments 18, 20 and 22 impacted by the projectile sincethere will be a different current demand for each combination of thelamp 290' and resistor 342 or lamp 290" and resistor 344 and thereforevarying the voltage developed across resistor 284 causing the transistor292 to conduct less or more and thereby provide slight voltagevariations to the blocking oscillator circuit for tone changes. Thesevoltage changes at the collector 294 of transistor 292 affect the timingcircuit only slightly. The values of resistors 342 and 344 affect theillumination of lamps 290 and 290".only slightly.

It will be appreciated that the tone signal is automatically terminatedat the same time that the visual signal is terminated as describedabove. 1

The moving target 16 and its contact portion 242 will the electrodestrip 240 is indicated by the switch 276. It will be appreciated thatsince there is no resilient mounting between the electrode strip 240 andthe contact portion 242, the moving target remains in contact with theelectrode strip 240 until it is righted by the righting finger 250 asdescribed above and therefore is in contact longer than the-momentarycontact provided at switches 270, 272 or 274. However, when the contactportion 242 contacts the electrode strip 240 the gate 350 of a siliconcontrolled rectifier 352 which, for example, may be similar to siliconcontrolled rectifier 282 and be provided with an anode 354. The triggervoltage and gate current to the gate 350 are developed through theresistor 284, the resistor 286, the closed switch 276, the resistor 356and the resistance of resistor 358 which replaces the equivalent hotresistance of the lit lamp such as the lamp 290. Since the value of theequivalent resistor 358 is larger than the cold resistance of anunlighted lamp, capacitor 393 shunted across resistor 358 provides aninstantaneous lesser impedance load to the silicon controlled rectifier352 to insure its conduction every time its gate is triggered by theclosure of switch 276. For this condition of silicon controlledrectifier 352 conducting, the 6 volts developed across the resistor 358forward. biases transistor 360 into saturation through current limitingresistor 394. The collector 362 of the transistor 360 pulls the base 364of the transistor 320 down through diode 366 thus rendering theDarlington connected emitter follower comprised of transistor 320 andtransistor 322 inoperative negating the voltage current source to theblocking oscillator. The value of resistor 368 is sufficient so thatthere is insufficient current drawn from the voltage current sourceprovided by transistor 292 to affect the established timing circuit.

The collector 362 of transistor 360 also serves toprovide a current paththrough resistors 370 and 372 establishing them, therefore, as a voltagedivider circuit. The voltage developed across resistor 370 forwardbiases transistor 375 into conduction establishing it as another voltagecurrent source. However, in this event, transistor 375 serves inconjunction with the emitter follower provided by transistor 374 toprovide an 8-voltvcurrent source to the duck sound simulating circuitdescribed below. Theduck sound simulating circuit is comprised of aunijunction relaxation oscillator whose sawtoothed signal at the emitter376 of the unijunction transistor 378 is supplied to the above-describedblocking oscillator circuit through a second Darlingtonconnected emitterfollower provided by transistors 380 and 382. This Darlington currentamplifier comprised of transistor 380 and 382 provides sufficientdecoupling to drive the blocking oscillator circuit without detractingfrom the functions of the relaxation oscillator provided by unijunctiontransistor 376. To insure that capacitor 384 discharges completely and,also, to simulate a slight pause between each quack, each time capacitor384 discharges through unijunction transistor 376 and resistor 386,transistor 388 is forward biased into conduction thus causing itscollector electrode 390 to provide a discharge path for the balance ofthe charge on capacitor 384. Capacitor 392 holds transistor 388 inconduction a little longer in order to prevent capacitor 384 fromimmediately recharging and thus the oscillator recycling. Capacitor 395provides regenerative decoupling from the 8-volt current source providedby transistor 374.

'FIG. 12 illustrates, in schematic diagram form, another electricalcircuit useful in the practice of applicants invention herein.Electrical circuit 5690 shown in FIG. 12 is similar to the circuit 264shown in FIG. 3 with differences as hereinafter set forth. In thecircuit 500, which, for convenience will be described as applicable tothe embodiment of applicants invention as shown in FIG. 1, the momentarycontact between the segments 18, 20 and 22 of the segmented bulls-eyetarget 14, and the moving target 16, as represented by the contactportion 242, are indicated schematically on FIG. 12 by the momentarycontacts which are 502, 504, 506 and 508, respectively, to indicatecontact with the base electrode 34 and 240.

A 9-volt battery 510 is provided to supply the electrical energy for theelectrical circuit 500, as well as to power the motor 262. When one ofthe segments, such as the disc 18, is impacted by a projectile, it ismoved to contact the common first electrode 34, thus indicating theclosure of the momentary contact switch 502. Closure of the switch 502triggers the gate 512 of a first silicon controlled rectifier 514. Thetrigger voltage due to the momentary contact and, consequently, the gatecurrent, are developed through resistor 516 and 518, the cold resistanceof lamp 520, comprising the source of visual electromagnetic radiationfor the visual signal means 32a. The lamp 520 may be similar to the lamp290 described above and thus be a 6-volt, ISO-milliampere lamp. Thus,the silicon controlled rectifier 514 requires a minimum of milliamperesto 7 remain conductive, the load of the respective lamp 520 is more thanadequate to maintain a silicon controlled rectifier 514 in a conductingcondition.

In order to turn off the lamp 520, it is necessary to have the siliconcontrolled rectifier 514 revert to a nonconducting state. This isachieved automatically after a predetermined time period according toapplicants invention herein. This is achieved'by utilizing the l /z-voltdrop across resistor 516 to forward bias transistor 522 to a conductingcondition, thereby providing a current and voltage source at itscollector to approximately 8.5 volts. This voltage beings to chargecapacitor 524 through resistor 526. When the voltage across capacitor524 reached the intrinsic standoff ratio rating of unijunctiontransistor 530, unijunction transistor 53% will begin to conductdischarging capacitor 524 through the emitter-base junction ofunijunction transistor 530 and resistor 532. The voltage down from 7.5volts to 0.6 volts. This instantaneous interruption of voltage to theturned on silicon controlled rectifier 514 will exceed its minimumholding current requirement and, therefore, it will turn off, therebyextinguishing lamp 520. Resistor 521 provides current limitingprotection for the baseemitter junction of transistor 522 should, forexample, lamp 520 or lamps 520' and 520 associated with target segmentsand 22, respectively, become shorted, or be replaced, mistakingly, by alamp with a larger current rating.

Operation, for contact of the projectile with target segment 20 or 22'tooperate visual signal lamp 520' or 520" is similar to that describedabove for operation of the lamp 521).

If two silicon controlled rectifiers such as 514 and 514' or 514" or anydual combination thereof be conducting simultaneously, the voltage dropacross resistor 516 increases to approximately 3 volts, thereby leaving6 volts available to the silicon controlled rectifiers 514, 514' and514. The l.5-volt drop across each of the two conducting siliconcontrolled rectifiers 514 and 514', for example, will leave 4.5 voltsacross each of their respective lamps 520, 520' and 520". This issufficient voltage for each lamp to provide reasonable illumination forindication purposes. If all three of the silicon controlled rectifiers514, 514' and 514" should be triggered simultaneously, the voltageacross each lamp would become 3 volts. It is unlikely that thiscondition would occur for the intended application or circuit 500.

An audible tone is also producedeach time silicon controller rectifier514, 514 or 514 is'triggered. The current voltage source at thecollector of transistor 522' is also applied to a blocking oscillator550 through resistor 536, emitter-follower transistor 538 and resistor540. The blocking oscillator 550 is comprised of transformer 542,transistor 544, resistor 546 and capacitor 548. A permanent magnetspeaker 552 matched to the secondary impedance of transformer 542produces the audible sound. Resistor 540 and capacitor 554 providesufficient regenerative decoupling for a clear tone emitted by speaker552.

The triggering of silicon controlled rectifier 515, which is associatedwith the moving target figure 16, produces a ramptype pulsating soundfrom the speaker 552. This sound is developed by contact of theelectrical contact 242 with the strip 240 to cause silicon controlledrectifier 515 to turn on in a manner as described above. This developsapproximately 6 volts across load resistor 560. The voltage developedacross load resistor 560 forward biases transistor 562 into saturationthrough decoupling resistor 564. The collector of transistor 562 pullsthe base of emitter-follower transistor 538 down, thus eliminating it asa voltage source to the blocking oscillator 550. The negating of thisvoltage source provided by transistor 538 allows the 6 volts that isgenerated across resistor 560 to also operate the relaxation oscillatoras a pulsating voltage source to the blocking oscillator 550. Therelaxation oscillator is comprised of resistor 570, capacitor 572 andunijunction transistor 574. The ramp-type voltage developed acrosscapacitor 572 is fed to the blocking oscillator 550 through theDarlington connected emitter-follower transistors 576 and 578. TheDarlington arrangement provides sufficient decoupling from the demand ofthe blocking oscillator 550 to allow the voltage developed acrosscapacitor 572 to reach the intrinsic standoff ratio of unijunctiontransistor 574. Resistor 573 insures that this condition is satisfied.

Since the resistance value of resistor 560 simulates the hot resistanceof the lamp, such as lamps 520, 520 and 520", it is a comparatively highvalue to insure that the silicon controlled rectifier 515 is triggeredon. Therefore, capacitor 580 connected across resistor 560 provides aninstantaneous low impedance to insure 515 is turned on when the movingtarget figure 16 is impacted.

From the above it can be seen that applicant has provided a uniquevisual and audio signal-emitting target structure for preselectedprojectiles. Those skilled in the art may find many variations andadaptations thereof and the following claims are intended to cover allsuch variations and adaptations falling within the true scope andspirit.

We claim:

1. An indicating target arrangement of the type emitting predeterminedsignals upon impact by preselected projectiles comprising, incombination:

a substantially flat, platelike means having a substantially flat innersurface, and an outer surface;

a segmented target comprising a first segmented member mounted on saidplatelike means for movement relative thereto and having an inside faceadjacent to and spaced a preselected distance from and electricallyinsulated from said inner surface of said platelike means in a firstposition, and an outside surface for impact by the preselectedprojectiles, and said first segmented target moving from said firstposition toward said platelike means to a second position for thecondition of impact of the preselected projectile on said outer face ofsaid segmented target;

resilient mounting means coupled to said first segmented target and saidplatelike means for resiliently mounting said segmented target on saidplatelike means for yieldingly, resiliently resisting said relativemovement of said segmented target toward said platelike means from saidfirst position to said second position, and for resiliently restoringsaid segmented target to said first position from said second position;

electrically conductive projection means intermediate said inner surfaceof said platelike means and said inside face of said segmented targetand coupled to one of said platelike means and said segmented target,and positioned to engage a predetermined portion of the other of saidplatelike means and said segmented target in said signal different fromsaid first and said second indicating signals; and said terminatingmeans further comprising means for automatically terminating said thirdindicating signal said preselected time interval after commencementthereof.

5. The arrangement defined in claim 4 wherein said plurality of movingtarget figures are in the form of ducks, and said third indicatingsignal is a cyclically repeating audio signal having a first frequencyat the commencement thereof and a second frequency lower than said firstfrequency at the end thereof, and a silent period between repetitionsthereof during said predetermined time interval.

6. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein:

said segmented target means further comprises:

second position, and to be spacedtherefrom in said first said firstsegmented member comprising a circular disc position; having an outerperipheral edge portion; electrically conductive contact means coupledto said asecond segmented member comprising an inner annular preselectedportion of the other of said platelike means ring member concentricallymounted with said disc and i and said segmented target means forproviding electrical 20 electrically insulated therefrom .and having aninner continuity with said electrically conductive projection peripheraledge portion spaced from said outer means in said second position;peripheral edge portion of said disc, and an outer edge a plurality ofmoving target figures for movement in a portion; and

preselected direction at a predetermined velocityand a third segmentedmember comprising-an outer annular spaced from said outside face of saidsegmented target, ring concentrically mounted with said disc member andand having an electrically conductive contact member, said inner annularring, and having'an inner peripheral and movable for the condition ofsaid moving target edge spaced from said outer peripheral edge of saidfigure impacted by said preselected projectile from a first innerannular ring, and an outer peripheral edge; or upright position to asecond or down position; said electrical circuit further comprising: anelectrically conductive strip means intermediate said said firstinformation signal generating means comprising outside face of saidsegmented target and said plurality of moving target figures, and spacedfrom said electrically conductive contact member of said plurality ofmoving targets and electrically insulated therefrom for said movmeansfor generating said first information signal for any of said firstsegmented member, second segmented member and said third segmentedmember in said second position;

ing target figures in said first position, and said ele trisaid firstindicating signal generating means comprising: cally conductive stripmeans in contact with said electri means for generating a first visualsignal for said disc in cally conductive contact member of saidplurality of movsaid second position; ing target figures for said movingtarget figures in said means for generating a second visual signaldifferent second position; from said first visual signal for said secondsegmeans for moving said plurality of moving target figures in mentedmember in said second position; and

said preselected direction of said predetermined rate; and means forgenerating a third visual signal different from means for restoring saidmoving target figures from said said first visual signal and said secondvisual signal second position to said first position; and for said thirdsegmented member in said second posia source of electrical energy; tion;first information signal generating means for generating a second signalgenerating means for receiving said first infirst information signal'forsaid first segmented member formation signal and generating an audiosignal in of said segmented target in said second position; responsethereto, and said audio signal having a first first indicating signalgenerating means for receiving said frequency for the condition of saidfirst segmented first information signal and generating a firstindicating t member in said second position, a second frequency forsignal in response thereto; and termination means for automaticallyterminating said first indicating signal a predetermined time intervalafter commencement thereof. 2. The arrangement defined in claim 1wherein said electrical circuit further comprises:

second signal generating means for receiving said first informationsignal and generating a second indicating signal,

different from said first indicating signal in response the condition ofsaid second segmented member in said second position, and a thirdfrequency for the condition of said third segmented member in saidsecond position. I

7. The arrangement defined in claim 6 wherein said first, said secondand said third frequencies of said audio signal are different from eachother.

8. The arrangement defined in claim 7 wherein:

said plurality of moving target figures are in the shape of saidelectrical circuit further comprises:

second information signal generating means for generating a secondinformation signal for at least one of said plurality of moving targetsin said second position; and

third indicating signal generating means for generating a thirdindicating signal different from said first and said second indicatingsignals; and

said third indicating signal is a cyclically repeating audio signalhaving a first frequency at the commencement dicating signal is a visualsignal and said second indicating signal is an audio signal.

4. The arrangement defined in claim 3 wherein said electrical circuitfurther comprises:

thereof and a second frequency lower than said first frequency at theend thereof and a silent period between repetitions thereof; and

said termination means further comprises means for automaticallyterminating said third indicating signal at said preselected timeinterval after commencement thereof and said third indicating signalhaving a plurality of repetitious cycles thereof during saidpredetermined time interval.

9. The arrangement defined in claim 6 wherein said projection meanscomprises rim means coupled to said outer peripheral edges of saidfirst, said second and said third segmented members.

10. The arrangement defined in claim 6 wherein said projection meanscomprises a plurality of rivetlike members extending through saidplatelike means from said outer surface and having a contact portionintermediate said inner surface of said platelike means and said insideface of each of said first and said second and said third segmentedmembers.

11. The arrangement defined in claim 6 wherein said projection meanscomprises a plurality of dimples in said platelike means.

12. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein said platelike means andsaid first segmented member are electrically conductive and saidresilient mounting means comprises:

a plurality of mounting members extending through said platelike meansand coupled to said first segmented members for positioning said firstsegmented member, said preselected distance from said platelike means;

means for electrically insulating said mounting member from saidplatelike means; and

a resilient member intermediate said inner surface of said platelikemeans and said inside face of said first segmented member and adjacentsaid mounting member.

13. The arrangement defined in claim 12 wherein said resilient membercomprises an electrically insulating pad means.

14. The arrangement defined in claim 12 wherein said resilient membercomprises an electrically insulating spring means.

15. The arrangement defined in claim 12 wherein said mounting membercomprises a screw and said screw threadingly engages said firstsegmented member.

16. The arrangement defined in claim 12 wherein said mounting membercomprises a bolt having a head frictionally engaging said outsidesurface of said first segmented outer surface of said platelike meansand electrically insulated therefrom.

